Duniya Vijay voices outrage over Kannada artists’ snub at SIIMA 2025 Dubai

Kannada stars allegedly sidelined as Telugu winners prioritized; Duniya Vijay confronts organizers live on stage.

Dubai witnessed a tense moment at the prestigious SIIMA 2025 Awards as Kannada superstar Duniya Vijay openly expressed his displeasure on stage. According to Vijay, Kannada actors were disrespected as the organizers prioritized Telugu awardees, leaving the stage empty when Kannada winners were called.

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During the event, actor Kiccha Sudeep’s award was received by V. Nagendra Prasad on his behalf, and Duniya Vijay himself was set to receive the Best Director Critics Award for his film Bheema. However, he voiced strong criticism at the ceremony, questioning why Kannada stars are consistently sidelined. Vijay remarked, “Why call us on stage when no other stars are present? Stop belittling Kannada cinema. If this continues, we won’t participate in the future.”

The SIIMA Awards, typically held over two days to honor excellence across South Indian cinema, have previously faced similar accusations. Last year, Kannada artists reportedly faced issues with accommodation and travel facilities. Expectations for a smoother event this year were unmet, triggering Vijay’s protest.

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The actor’s stance received widespread support from Kannada fans, emphasizing the need for equal recognition alongside Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam film industries. Duniya Vijay’s intervention highlights ongoing concerns regarding representation and respect for Kannada cinema at pan-South Indian award platforms.